A tribute to a visionary
The city of Alcoy is preparing to host its eighth edition of the Modernist Fair, a celebration that will focus on the emblematic figure of Timoteo Briet Montaud, an architect who has left an indelible mark on the cultural heritage of the town. Coinciding with the centenary of his death, this event from September 22 to 28 is a recognition of his contribution to modern architecture.
A new vision of beauty
During the official presentation of the fair, Lorena Zamorano, the Councilor for Tourism, emphasized the importance of remembering and celebrating fundamental figures in local history. With the slogan ‘The Restart of Beauty’, the event seeks to highlight the aesthetic renewal that Briet contributed to European modernism, merging functionality with elegance.
Pictures and recognitions
The artist David Pastor presented the official image of the fair, which encapsulates the essence of Briet’s architecture. In addition, recognitions were given to the organizations that collaborated in the previous edition, reflecting the community spirit of the celebration.
The Empremta de Timoteo Brit
Born in Cocentaina on March 13, 1859, Briet moved to Alcoy with his family at an early age. His passion for architecture began to bloom during his training in Barcelona, where he coincided with Vicente Pascual Pastor, another prominent name of Alcoyano Modernism. Both graduated as architects in 1890, but their aesthetic views took divergent paths.
Style and influences
Briet opted for a style inspired by the Austrian Sezession movement, which was characterized by its ornamental sobriety and geometric shapes, contrasting with the most lush art nouveau that Pascual preferred. His work includes a wide range of projects, from homes to commercial reforms and buildings.
Emblematic works
Among the most notable creations of Briet is the Casa Laporta, commissioned by the tycoon of the paper José Laporta Valor. This residence stands out for its combination of greenish and green tile, as well as elegant ornamentation that includes details such as blinds and iron railings. Inside, the modernist paintings, possibly by the painter Francisco Laporta Valor, complete the aesthetic experience.
Home and legacy
Briet’s own domicile on San José Street is another example of his fidelity to the Sezession movement, reflecting a rationalist and sober architecture. Thus, the fair not only celebrates its legacy, but also emphasizes the diversity of expressions that modernism had according to local contexts.
A diverse movement
Modernism, which is known as modernism in Spain, had several manifestations in other countries, receiving names such as Art Nouveau in France and Belgium or modern Style in the United Kingdom. In Vienna, the Sezession movement was born in a similar context, with figures such as Gustav Klimt who influenced the aesthetics of the time.
Timoteo Briet was one of the architects who knew how to adapt this European spirit to an industrial city like Alcoy, making it a benchmark in Valencian modernism, and his work continues to inspire and fascinate new generations.
